A United Nations independent human rights expert called on the Russian Government on Wednesday to halt its clampdown on human rights defenders.
In the wake of their on-going war in Ukraine, Mary Lawlor also urged authorities to repeal “restrictive and discriminatory laws”, and reiterated her and other experts’ call made in July, against the Russian ‘civil society shutdown’.
“I…continue to be concerned about the use of the criminal provisions introduced shortly after the invasion of Ukraine to target critical voices. Under the ‘fake war news’ law, 114 people have already been prosecuted since its adoption on 4 March 2022”, she said in a statement.
Laws against defenders
Ms. Lawlor added that it was “deeply alarming” that authorities have introduced further punitive laws targeting human rights defenders which have had “a suffocating effect on civil society”.
She further explained that on 14 July, the Russian Parliament adopted amendments to the criminal code introducing prison terms of up to eight years for those convicted of “confidentially co-operating” with a foreign state, international or foreign organisation.
“The ‘co-operation’ is supposed to be punishable only if its aim is to assist in ‘activities knowingly aimed against the state security’. In practice, however, there is no guarantee that human rights work will not be considered a threat to the state security”, she underscored, adding that that same law has criminalised broadly defined “public calls for activities aimed against state security”.
Pressure on foreign organisations
The UN Special Rapporteur also expressed her concern for the expansion of laws aimed at “foreign agents” and “undesirable organisations”, which according to her, the Government has resorted to for years, to restrict, stigmatise and discriminate against human rights defenders.
Since 2015, 65 foreign and international non-governmental organisations have been declared “undesirable” and banned in Russia without recourse to any court challenge.
“A number of them had human rights and humanitarian programmes. People continuing to participate in these organisations, finance or organise their activity risk up to six years in prison”, she noted.
Ms. Lawlor added that 276 people, many of whom protect and promote human rights, are currently on various ‘foreign agents’ registers restricting their activities, and a related new law entering into force on 1 December, will allow authorities to expand the regulations.
“Russian human rights defenders told me how this stigmatising label scares away some partners and even people whose rights they defend. New vague and broad provisions of the law further marginalise the human rights community, which is completely unacceptable”, she warned.
Novaya Gazeta
Dmitry Muratov, Russian journalist and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate in his office as Editor-in-Chief of Novaya Gazeta
‘Silencing voices’
The independent expert noted “with regret” that the Russian Government “continues large-scale efforts to silence critical voices and dismantle civil society”.
She referred to 16,400 detentions carried out in connection with anti-war protests, the restrictions imposed on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and the 138,000 websites blocked, since the invasion of Ukraine.
“The work of most independent media outlets continues to be suspended or stopped”, she highlighted, putting as an example the stripping of the print license of Novaya Gazeta, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and one of the oldest Russian media outlets which covers human rights issues, as well as other investigative work.
Ms. Lawlor urged the international community to support human rights defenders in Russia and in exile.
“The Russian Government is destroying civil society day by day and if the world does not lend a hand to Russian human rights defenders now, it will face the human rights consequences for decades to come”, she concluded.
UN Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva, to report on specific country situations or thematic issues.
These independent experts operate in their individual capacity and are neither UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
Elliot is an award-winning journalist passionate about international affairs and humanitarian causes. Elliot has covered stories from conflict zones and areas devastated by disasters, highlighting critical global issues.
It’s appalling to witness how the Russian Government continues to suffocate civil society with repressive laws. The crackdown on human rights defenders must stop immediately to protect freedom of expression and democracy. The world must speak out against these unjust actions.
A United Nations independent human rights expert, Mary Lawlor, expressed deep concerns about the Russian Government’s crackdown on human rights defenders. She urged the authorities to repeal restrictive laws and stop targeting critical voices, emphasizing the negative impact on civil society. The punitive laws introduced have created a suffocating effect on defenders, stifling their essential work.
As an advocate for human rights, it’s truly concerning to see the Russian Government’s continuous crackdown on civil society. Mary Lawlor’s statement highlights the urgent need for the authorities to reverse these repressive laws and uphold fundamental freedoms. It’s crucial for the international community to stand in solidarity with human rights defenders facing persecution in Russia.
As a United Nations independent human rights expert, I am deeply troubled by the Russian Government’s relentless attack on civil society. It is imperative that they immediately cease their crackdown on human rights defenders and repeal the oppressive laws targeting critical voices. These measures only serve to stifle freedom of expression and undermine democracy. #StandWithHumanRights
“I believe that the Russian Government’s actions are deeply concerning. It is evident that their crackdown on human rights defenders is stifling civil society. As a UN expert rightly points out, the introduction of punitive laws targeting defenders is alarming. It is crucial for the authorities to repeal such laws and allow for freedom of expression and activism.”
As an advocate for human rights, it is deeply troubling to witness the Russian Government’s continuous crackdown on civil society. The implementation of restrictive laws and prosecution of individuals under the ‘fake war news’ law is a blatant violation of freedom of speech. The suffocating effect on civil society must be addressed immediately to ensure the protection of human rights defenders.
Do you think the Russian Government will listen to the UN expert’s call and stop its crackdown on human rights defenders?
Hopefully, the Russian Government will heed the UN expert’s call and put an end to its clampdown on human rights defenders. It’s crucial for the protection of civil society and fundamental rights.
It’s heartbreaking to see the Russian Government intensifying its crackdown on human rights defenders. These restrictive laws are suffocating civil society, and the targeting of critical voices must stop immediately. As an advocate for human rights, I stand in solidarity with those affected by these unjust measures.
I believe that the Russian Government is indeed putting significant pressure on human rights defenders, and this is a matter of concern. The introduction of restrictive laws targeting critical voices interferes with the freedom of expression and can have a chilling effect on civil society. Mary Lawlor’s call to repeal these laws and stop the crackdown on defenders should be taken seriously by the authorities.
It’s upsetting to see how the Russian Government is cracking down on human rights defenders. It’s crucial for the authorities to repeal the restrictive laws and stop targeting critical voices. The new punitive laws are suffocating civil society, and it’s high time for a change.
It’s truly disturbing to see how the Russian Government is systematically stifling civil society and targeting human rights defenders. The oppressive laws and crackdown on critical voices are clear violations of fundamental freedoms. I hope the international community will continue to speak out against these atrocities.
As a human rights defender, I strongly condemn the Russian Government’s clampdown on civil society. These restrictive and discriminatory laws targeting critical voices are deeply concerning. It’s crucial for authorities to repeal such laws and uphold the fundamental rights of individuals. The punitive measures have created a suffocating effect on civil society, hindering our crucial work in advocating for human rights worldwide.